HOW TO CHOOSE YOUR WATERPROOF JACKET?


Choosing the right waterproof jacket

To fight against bad weather, an effective waterproof jacket adapted to your outdoor practice is essential. Whether for hiking, trail running or any other outdoor activity, the main characteristics sought are waterproofness and breathability. Here are our explanations for choosing the right waterproof jacket.

The criteria for choosing your waterproof jacket

To help you choose the right waterproof jacket for your practice, here are some criteria to take into account:


  • impermeability measurement

  • breathability index

  • sports practice

  • membrane construction

Waterproof jackets are to be distinguished from so-called water-repellent ones. These are not 100% waterproof. Their fabric will let light rain or light snow slide off but will not be waterproof in the event of heavy falls. Likewise for seams that are not waterproof.


The waterproofness and breathability measurements of a membrane

It is important to consider the waterproofness and breathability indexes of a waterproof jacket, to effectively face rain or snow.

To begin with, the impermeability of a membrane is expressed in millimeters and designates the capacity to prevent water from penetrating. The outdoor practitioner will thus be protected from rain or snow. When a garment is listed as 10,000mm water resistant , it  means that it can withstand a water column of 10,000mm (or 10 meters) before water seeps into the garment. 


Then, when we talk about breathability, expressed in MVP for "Moisture Vapor Permeability", it is the ability of a fabric to pass water vapor, i.e. to evacuate perspiration during exercise. to avoid getting completely soaked under the jacket.


To conclude, these 2 indices are there to help outdoor sports practitioners to compare the membranes and know which is more waterproof and more breathable. The higher these 2 numbers, the more waterproof and breathable the garment.


Choose your jacket according to your practice

There is another information to take into account when choosing the right waterproof jacket. Is the construction of the jacket 2.5 or 3 layers? This difference is in the textile design.


3-layer design: more resistance

For the construction in 3 layers, the waterproof-breathable membrane constitutes the central layer around which we will add 2 other layers of textile to come to protect it. This will be more resistant to abrasions and will therefore be more durable. To image, we have the following superimposition of layers: textile / membrane / textile. The only downside is that it will make the garment a bit heavier and bulkier.


2.5-layer design: lighter

On the other hand, the 2.5-layer construction means that the inner textile layer will be much thinner to save weight on the whole garment. This is particularly the case for jackets used in trail running. However, these will have the only drawback of being a little less resistant (construction diagram: thin film / membrane / textile).


At Cimalp, all hiking jackets are in 3 layers for more resistance and performance. We find the construction in 2.5 layers mainly in running on trail jackets , to guarantee lightness and compactability of the garment.


Principle of the 3 layers when hiking

Concerning the expression "3 layers", it is not to be confused with the principle of the 3 layers that hikers often adopt. In order to stay warm and dry during exercise, especially hiking, we very often recommend the technique of layering clothing in the following order: a breathable 1st layer to wick away perspiration, thermal clothing for warmth, a waterproof jacket to protect against the weather.


The ULTRASHELL is today one of the best membranes available on the market. Initially designed for waterproof hiking jackets like the Advanced, CIMALP's ULTRASHELL® can now be found on various brand products: hiking overtrousers, trail jackets, but also waterproof trail and hiking shoes.


And since then, Cimalp has also developed Aerodry , a breathability optimization system. Progress continues!


 


More details on waterproof jackets in video! Our ambassador and expert Florian Olivier, mid-mountain guide, explains everything to you.